RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesTUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - APRIL 12: Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb talks with other coaches during the Alabama Spring Game at Bryant Denny Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We got a new presser from Ryan Grubb:
Speaking about the QBs, I did like how Grubb put this answer:
Grubb made it clear that both quarterbacks have the physical tools necessary to win the job.
“Certainly you can’t just have the rah-rah guy if he can’t throw the freaking ball,” Grubb said.
Instead, Alabama will begin weighing several measurable factors as the competition progresses.
“Both are capable physically of making all the plays,” Grubb said. “Now you’re starting to look at decision-making, completion percentages, turnovers, explosives, how all those things obviously weigh out.”
Those statistics will matter, but Grubb also pointed to something that is much more difficult to measure.
Does the quarterback look like he believes he is going to make the play?
“And then also just does it look like that guy believes I’m going to make that play,” Grubb said. “And both those guys are getting better at that every day.”
I like that he makes sure to point out that “throwing the ball” is a very important part of playing QB – and one that doesn’t get talked enough about sometimes. You can have a great leader and an amazing processor, but if you can’t throw on target, it doesn’t matter.
Grubb also talked a little about AK Dear having made some real strides in pass protection. He specifically said that was why we didn’t see much of Dear last year, so hearing that he’s made some real improvement there is exciting.
EJ Crowell, RB, Alabama
Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s plan to “resurrect” Alabama’s run game will include this five-star freshman ballcarrier, who turned heads during the team’s first day in pads last week. He joins a crowded competition for snaps with Daniel Hill , AK Dear and Kevin Riley . Grubb has repeatedly pushed to go hard on every rep and complimented Crowell’s explosiveness and physicality. After Alabama ranked 126th nationally last season after averaging 3.4 yards per carry, this offense needs production. Crowell arrived in Tuscaloosa with a college-ready frame and has quickly shown why he was one of the cycle’s most coveted ball-carriers.
I’m really fascinated to see how the running back rotation winds up shaking out this year. Hill and Riley both started games last year and Hill seems to be the leader of the pack…. But Dear brings some speed and talent, and Crowell is a top-ten level prospect, so both have plenty of hype and expectations. But Trae’Shawn Brown shouldn’t be ignored either. The freshman caught the eyes of many this past spring, and Grubb mentioned him as “TB” saying he made a great play at the start of his press conference. Five guys can’t exactly all get snaps, so I can’t wait to see how it goes in week 1.
No. 13: Jackson Lloyd, Alabama, OT
The former five-star recruit got into five games as a freshman last year and is now the Tide’s projected starter at left tackle. Lloyd, who also excelled at baseball and basketball as a high schooler in Northern California, is an intriguing talent and is still just 19. He’s 6-7 and 317 pounds with just 18 percent body fat, and he has already bench pressed 505 pounds and squatted 760. He has power cleaned 365, vertical jumped 33 inches and broad jumped 9-6.
Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks” list is one of the longstanding offseason pieces in college football, and it’s always great seeing your guys on it. It’s not necessarily the best players, but the ones that are just crazy athletes. See #1 on the list, South Carolina receiver Nyck Harbor.
For Alabama, Jackson Lloyd checks in at #13 in the country as a guy with exceptional size and a multi-sport background. I think he’s a player who, if he lives up to the potential, could be the biggest addition to Alabama’s starting line up this season compared to prior years.
Past Lloyd, Alabama also landed Daniel Hill at #23, Ryan Coleman-Williams at #38, and Bray Hubbard at #54.
-Caleb Woodson and QB Reese seemed to be the first two linebackers up in a linebacker drill. The drill asked the defender to carry an inside receiver vertically up the field, so nothing too crazy. It does show off the player’s fluidity and ability to turn and run though. First-year linebacker Xavier Griffin is likely going to make a name for himself as a pass rusher, but there’s a reason he’s been compared to former Alabama standout Jihaad Campbell so much. Campbell brought elite edge traits, but he was also fantastic handling the off-ball responsibilities, including playing sideline-to-sideline and being a plus cover defender. Griffin brings the same traits. He’s got future first-rounder written all over him.
I’m still holding out some love for Luke Metz (and I bet he gets plenty of snaps this year), but it’s seeming more and more like QB Reese continues to be the leader for playing next to Woodson at linebacker.
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